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I recently tried studying a new language. The language foreign to me is called SMS, better known as the texting language or AOL speak.
This language is used to chat with people online and in text messages. Since space is limited when sending these messages, a whole new language has evolved.
For example, UR GR8 in text speak translates to “you are great.” That’s about as far as I have gotten with this mystifying language.
The new language is creating a lot of buzz as talking on cell phones while driving is no longer a concern but texting while operating an automobile is, especially among teen drivers.
The act of texting while driving has many nicknames. My favorite would be a intexticated driving. However, intexticated driving is no joke, as more car accidents have occurred as drivers are preoccupied sending text messages, which typically takes two hands.
Minnesota enacted a law in 2006 prohibiting cell phone use by learner’s permit holders and provisional license holders, those who are in their first 12 months. The key word is talking not texting.
While talking and driving isn’t safe, I would feel more comfortable with the driver next to me talking versus typing. Though I have never quite figured out how people can drive a manual transmission vehicle and talk on the phone at the same time.
An April 2006 study conducted by Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety in conjunction with Students Against Destructive Decisions found 80 percent of vehicle crashes are caused by distraction. These distractions include eating, putting on makeup and even writing. This same study found teens admitted their No.1 distraction while driving is texting.
On Jan. 1, Washington state enacted the first texting while driving ban. New Jersey will follow in March. While many are in support of this legislation, others believe education is the No. 1 way to cut down on the texting accidents.
In an effort to educate teens, many cell phone companies have started vigorous public service campaigns targeted to younger drivers about the dangers of using phones while driving.
I don’t want to seem like I am picking on teenagers, because I have adult friends who send text messages. I usually don’t know what their abbreviations mean even after I am able to figure out how to retrieve the messages.
However, a recent poll from YPulse, a Web site for media and marketing professionals about generation Y (current teens) found that people ages 13 to 24 send and receive more than 50 text messages per week. Fifty-four percent of 13- to 34-year-olds use texting for social networking, 44 percent of that same group said they use text messaging for flirting or dating and
10 percent said they have broken up with a boyfriend or girlfriend using text messaging.
I guess that would explain the urgency in having to text while driving a car — breakups may not be able to wait.
In June, five ladies who graduated from high school outside of Rochester, N.Y., died in a fiery crash. The probable cause was the driver was texting while driving. Police retrieved a message sent from her phone just before the accident.
I don’t know if legislation or education are the way to prevent these tragedies. Either way, it
is my hope that friends and family members of those driving while intexticated remind them of the dangers before it is too late.
As for the SMS language, w/e (whatever).
Modjeski lives in Winona, and her column is featured in the Winona Daily News every Monday.
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